Hospitality sector posts its strongest May performance on record
Namibia's hospitality sector posted its strongest May performance on record, with national occupancy reaching 62.17% in May 2026, up sharply from 56.21% in May 2025 and comfortably above the pre-pandemic May 2019 benchmark of 55.83% according to HAN.
CHAMWE KAIRA
Namibia’s hospitality sector posted its strongest May performance on record, with national occupancy reaching 62.17% in May 2026, up sharply from 56.21% in May 2025 and comfortably above the pre-pandemic May 2019 benchmark of 55.83% according to HAN.
“The result is particularly noteworthy given that May 2026 fell entirely within the shoulder season, suggesting that structural demand drivers including the onset of safari and nature-based tourism ahead of the winter dry season are gaining momentum earlier than historically observed,” Simonis Storm said in a report.
The Northern region delivered the highest occupancy nationally at 65.19%, up from 58.74% in May 2025, confirming that Etosha National Park and the broader Kunene corridor are attracting early-season visitors as the dry season approaches.
